Title
SIT-2026-0083 Christus Health requests approval of a Site Plan Adoption for the construction of a 37,277-square-foot, two-story medical facility on the ±1.64-acre property located at 401 Trinity Drive, zoned General Commercial (GC).
Property Owners
Christus Health
Applicant
Christus Health
Case Manager
Danyelle Valdez, Planning Manager
Body
Los Alamos County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 16, Development Code (“Development Code”), Section 16-74(i)(3), establishes the procedures for Site Plan Adoptions and Major Site Plan Amendments. The applicant attended the required pre-application meeting on June 4, 2025. On July 1, 2026, staff received an application from CHRISTUS Health. The application was assigned Case No. SIT-2026-0083, routed to the Interdepartmental Review Committee (“IDRC”) for review, and, in accordance with Section 16-72(c), provided the required public notice (Attachment B) for the August 12, 2026, public hearing.
Section 16-69 grants the Planning and Zoning Commission ("Commission") the authority and responsibility to make final decisions on Site Plan Adoption applications. The Commission shall approve the application as presented, approve the application with conditions that are reasonably necessary to meet the decision criteria, or deny based on conformance with section 16-74(i)(4) decision criteria.
According to section 16-72-(f)(5)b.9., approval by the Commission shall require a motion and affirmative vote of a majority of the members present, and no less than four (4) to approve the application. Failure to issue a final decision prior to the close of the hearing shall constitute denial of the application.
Section 16-74(i) Site Plan Adoption or Major Amendment Decision Criteria
a. The Site Plan substantially conforms to the intent and policies of the Comprehensive Plan and other adopted County policies and plans.
b. If the subject property is within an approved Master Plan, the Site Plan is in conformance with any relevant standards in the Master Plan.
c. If the subject property is within an approved PD zone district, the Site Plan is consistent with any applicable terms and conditions in any previously approved PD zoning covering the subject property and any related development agreements and/or regulations.
d. The Site Plan is in conformance with all applicable provisions of this Code and other adopted County regulations.
e. The County’s existing public infrastructure and services, including but not limited to water, sanitary sewer, electricity, gas, storm sewer, streets, trails and sidewalks have adequate capacity to serve the proposed development, and any burdens on those systems have been mitigated in compliance with the County’s construction standards to the maximum extent practicable.
f. The Site Plan mitigates any significant adverse impacts to properties within the vicinity to the maximum extent practicable.
g. Provisions shall be made to serve the development with tot lots and/or neighborhood parks in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan. A fee may be paid as approved by County Council to accomplish the purpose of the Comprehensive Plan in lieu of the development of tot lots or neighborhood parks.
Motion Options
Recommended Motion:
I move to Conditionally Approve Case No. SIT-2026-0083, a request by Christus Health for approval of a Site Plan Adoption for the construction of a 37,277-square-foot, two-story medical facility on the approximately 1.64-acre property located at 401 Trinity Drive, zoned General Commercial (GC).
Approval is based on the findings established at the hearing and the conclusion that the Applicant has met the decision criteria for a Site Plan Adoption per Section 16-74(i) of the Los Alamos County Development Code, subject to the following conditions:
1. Prior to submitting any associated permit applications, the applicant shall revise the applicable drawing sheets to: (1) provide a joint utility trench cross-section showing an approved staggered layout consistent with the applicable Department of Public Utilities Construction Standards Drawing; (2) identify the size of the proposed gas line and the physical location of the gas meter; (3) revise the fire hydrant and hydrant-leg details to conform to the applicable Los Alamos County standard detail; and (4) provide a connection detail for the existing sewer manhole. The corrected drawing sheets shall be submitted directly to the Department of Public Utilities for final review and verification.
2. Prior to submitting any associated permit applications, the applicant shall revise the plans to address Fire Marshal requirements, including citation of the currently adopted 2021 International Fire Code; provision of compliant aerial fire apparatus access or, where approved by the Fire Code Official, a Class I standpipe meeting the exception to IFC Section D105.1; and relocation or addition of a fire hydrant to provide adequate coverage at the north entrance. Revised plans shall be submitted to the Fire Marshal for final review and approval.
3. Prior to issuance of a building permit, the applicant shall submit a drainage assessment demonstrating that the proposed development will not increase off-site stormwater flows beyond existing conditions. The assessment shall include pre- and post-development 100-year storm-flow calculations, supporting methodology, and documentation demonstrating that the existing and proposed stormwater systems can adequately convey post-development flows. The assessment shall also address replacement of the existing storm drainpipe traversing the property and adjustment of its installation depth, in coordination with the Los Alamos County Public Works Department.
4. The Applicant shall obtain all required NMDOT and Los Alamos County permits and approvals for off-site improvements and work within public rights-of-way and shall dedicate all necessary rights-of-way for the offsite roadway improvements including sidewalks.
The Commission acts under the decision authority granted in Section 16-69(b)(2) and (6) of the Development Code.
I further move to authorize the Chair to sign the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law for this case that reflects the decision of the Commission. This document will be prepared by county staff based on this decision.
Alternative Motion 1:
I move to Approve Case No. SIT-2026-0083, a request by Christus Health for approval of a Site Plan Adoption for construction of a 37,277-square-foot medical facility on the ±1.64-acre property located at 401 Trinity Drive, zoned General Commercial (GC).
Approval is based on the findings established at the hearing and the conclusion that the Applicant has met the decision criteria for a Site Plan Adoption per Section 16-74(i) of the Los Alamos County Development Code. The Commission acts under the decision authority granted in Section 16-69(b)(2) and (6) of the Development Code.
I further move to authorize the Chair to sign the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law for this case that reflects the decision of the Commission. This document will be prepared by county staff based on this decision.
Alternative Motion 2:
I move to Deny Case No. SIT-2026-0083, a request by Christus Health for approval of a Site Plan Adoption for construction of a 37,277-square-foot medical facility on the ±1.64-acre property located at 401 Trinity Drive, zoned General Commercial (GC).
Denial is based on the findings established at the hearing and the conclusion that the Applicant has not met the decision criteria for a Site Plan Adoption per Section 16-74(i) of the Los Alamos County Development Code. The Commission acts under the decision authority granted in Section 16-69(b)(2) and (6) of the Development Code.
I further move to authorize the Chair to sign the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law for this case that reflects the decision of the Commission. This document will be prepared by county staff based on this decision.
Attachments
A - Staff Report
B - Public Notice
C - Application